328 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



The bulbils are green or purplish. The three-pointed 

 anther-stalks are projecting. There is an antheri- 

 ferous point to the anther-stalks which equals the 

 entire portion. This is half as long as the lateral 

 points. 



Crow Garlic is i to 3 ft. high, flowering from June to 

 August, and is a herbaceous perennial. 



The spathe with its bracts serves to conceal the 

 honey. There are six stamens, which are longer than 

 the stigmas, and they are in two rows of three each. 

 Since the flowers are more or less conspicuous, they 

 are likely to be cross-pollinated, flowering at a time 

 and in a place where insects are usually abundant. 



Being reproduced largely by the bulbils which are 

 liable to be eaten by birds (hence Crow Garlic), this 

 plant is dispersed by animal agency. 



There are less than half a dozen common names 

 for this plant. Cow Garlick, Crow Garlick, Wild 

 Garlick, Crow Onion. 



Garlic is derived from the Anglo Saxon gar, spear, 

 and leac, leek. 



The plant is used for flavouring salads, hke Chives. 



Allium vineale. — Note in Fig. 8g the grass-like 

 habit and the terminal flower-head. 



Bluebell (Scilla nutans). 



Called also Wild Hyacinth, this lovely wild flower 

 is more nearly related to the garden Squills, since the 

 perianth-segments are more or less distinct. The 

 beautiful colour of the flowers and their drooping 



